Electric hair-driers



Sept. 26, 19 7 M. A. TROU ILHET ELECTRIC HAIR-DRIERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25,; 1964 m M .0. m m

Amman M. M. A. TROUILHET ELECTRIC HAIR-DRIERS Sept. 26, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1964 DIVE/V701? Maun'ce Man'e. A 'llc TrOu/Zhei' Sept. 26, 1967 M. M. A. TROUILHET I 3,

ELECTRIC HAIR-DRIERS Filed Sept. 23, 1964 Y 4 SheetsSheet 4 INVENTO'R Maurice Mm Ach/I/e wd/vet 1a, M a & W

United States Patent Ofi ice 7 Claims. b1. 34-99 This invention relates in general to electric hair-driers of the type comprising at least one electrical heating resistance, an electric fan and a helmet.

It is the chief object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of this character which is designed for domestic use, light in weight, easy to operate and of relatively low cost.

The apparatus according to this invention is remarkable notably in that it consists of a helmet-forming tubular member carrying in its bottom the mechanical and electrical component elements of the apparatus.

According to another feature of this invention, said tubular member is open at both ends. Q

Still in accordance with a further feature of this invention, said support consists of a plate or like element.

This invention also comprises the feature that fastening means are provided for assembling said support with said helmet.

This invention also contemplates the provision of a protection grid secured intern-ally of said tubular member by an assembly of rods, blades or the like and channel means.

According to a complementary feature of this invention, said support is secured on said tubular member by means of inner bosses or lugs formed integrally with said member.

Under these conditions it is clear that this apparatus is particularly easy to assemble. The electrical and mechanical elements are firstly secured on the support, then the complete support carrying the aforesaid elements is introduced into the helmet and secured thereon by means of the fastening members contemplated therefor, and finally the protection grid for isolating the user from the elements of the'apparatus is fitted in position.

It is a complementary feature of this invention to support the helmet by means of an outer ring surrounding said helmet and adapted to be attached on a fixed element such as a wall, detachable holder, post, etc.

Furthermore, this invention contemplates a hair-drier of the type set forth hereinabove wherein said outer ring comprises trunnions adapted to engage bearings carried by the helmet walls, means being also provided for locking said trunnions in said hearings to permit the setting of said helmet in the desired angular direction.

It will be appreciated that the provision of this ring makes the operation of the apparatus particularly simple and convenient. In fact, the apparatus of this invention is particularly easy to mount on or disconnect from its support. In addition, this device permits of setting the apparatus in any desired angular position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating diagrammatically by way of example a typical form of embodiment of the hair-drier of this invention. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section with parts broken away, showing an apparaus constructed according to the teachings of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view from beneath, also with parts broken away, of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 3 and 4 are sections taken upon the lines ]1IIII of FIGURE 4 and IV-IV of FIGURE 3 respec- Patented Sept. 26, 1967 tively, showing on a larger scale a detail of the mounting of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view showing on a small scale an apparatus constructed according to the teachings of this invention.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are detail views showing on a larger scale a typical mountin of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12 are sectional views taken along the lines IXIX of FIGURE 12, XX, XIXI and XII-XII of FIGURE 9 respectively, showing on a larger scale a typical form of embodiment of the trunnions and bearings provided for the swivel mounting of the apparatus of the invention.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view with parts broken away, showing on a larger scale a support according to a specific form of embodiment of the invention, and

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view showing on a larger scale a bi-metallic strip thermostat suitable for controlling the apparatus of this invention.

In the typical form of embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings an electric hair-drier constructed according to the principles of this invention consists essentially of two sections: a tubular member 1 open at both ends, constituting the helmet proper, and a support 2 on which the mechanical and electrical component elements of the apparatus are secured. These elements comprise chiefly heating resistances 3, 4, a fan 5, a fan driving motor 6, a switch 7 having ON and OFF positions, and a thermostat 8 for limiting the maximum temperature of operation of the apparatus.

On the other hand, a protection grid 9, separating the operative elements of the apparatus from the lower portion of the helmet adapted to be fitted on the users head, is provided.

The mounting of the apparatus comprising the component elements broadly set forth hereinabove is particularly simple and consists in introducing the support 2 into the tubular member 1 and to secure the former in the latter in any suitable manner, for example as described presently. Then the protection grid 9 also secured on the tubular member 1 is fitted under said elements.

In the example illustrated the support 2 comprises essentially an annular substantially fiat portion 10 and a cylindrical central portion 11 solid with said portion 10. The annular portion 10 consists for example of flat sectors 10a, radial ribs 10b, four stiffening ribs and circular ribs 10d, whereby a satisfactory strength and rigidity is imparted to the assembly while permitting .a proper air flow through the bottom of the apparatus.

The support 2 is secured in the tubular member 1 as shown in detail in FIGURES 3 and 4 by means of four screws 12 and four nuts 13, the former extending through holes' formed in the ribs 10c of said annular portion 10 and in registering holes formed in inner bosses or lugs 14 rigid or formed integrally with said tubular member 1.

FIGURES 1, 3 and 4 show clearly the manner in which the protection grid 9 is secured in the tubular member 1 by means of four blades, for example in the form of metal strips 15 force fitted in channels 16 formed integrally with the tubular member 1. These figures also show that these channels 16 are coincident with the aforesaid lugs or bosses 14, thus imparting a greater rigidity to the mounting of said support 2.

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate diagrammatically the heating resistances 3, 4 carried by the metal arms 17, 18 embedded by moulding in their support 11.

Preferably, the helmet-forming tubular member 1, plate 2 and protection grid 9 are moulded from suitable thermosetting or like plastic material.

FIGURE 1 shows diagrammatically in the form of a pair of screws 18', the means for suspending the electromotor 6 in the cylindrical portion 11. Of course, any other suitable mounting, notably an elastic mounting, may be restorted to if desired.

There further is shown in FIGURE 1 the sectional view of a ring 19 disposed externally of the tubular member 1 for setting the helmet in any desired angular position as will be made clear presently with reference to FIGURESS, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

The electrical circuit means necessary for energizing the electrical component elements are shown in diagrammatic form in FIGURE 2. The feed current supplied through the wire 20 from the mains is distributed by means of a split fitting 21 attached on the fiat portion a. The electrical circuit is as follows: in one direction, the current fiows successively through the switch 7 secured on the plate 10a for example by means of two screws 23, the control wires of this switch being visible at 7a; then the current flows through resistances 3, 4 adapted to be connected in series or in parallel, then through the bimetallic-strip thermostat 25, the function of which will be explained presently in conjunction with FIGURE 14 and finally through the fan driving electromotor 6, before returning to the split fitting 21 closing the electrical circuit.

In FIGURE 1 the arrows illustrate the air fiow through the apparatus, and in FIGURE 2 the arrow 1 designates the direction of rotation of the fan.

It is clear that the mounting and manufacture of the apparatus described hereinabove are very easy.

Other features referred to hereinafter make the operation of the apparatus particularly convenient and reliable.

The fixation and angular setting of the apparatus of this invention are greatly facilitated by the provision of the aforesaid ring 19 mounted externally of the helmet 1. The rotation of helmet 1 in this ring takes place about a pair of pivot members solid with the ring 19 and rotating in corresponding bearings provided in the helmet as will be explained presently with reference to FIG- URES 9, 10, 11 and 12. In FIGURE 5 there is shown at 1 an inclined position of the helmet in relation to said ring 19.

To secure the helmet before its use a substantially flat portion 20 may be provided on the outer periphery of ring 19, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, this portion 20 being formed with a substantially rectangular recess 21 bounded laterally and at the top by dovetail grooves 22.

The apparatus can be anchored on a rigid surface such as a wall 23, a partition or any other suitable support or stand, by simply securing on this wall 23 by means of a pair of screws 42 or the like a pressed sheet member 43 of substantially square configuration, adapted to be slipped and retained in the lateral grooves 22a and 22c, the upper groove 22b acting as a stop to limit the movement of plate 43.

Of course, any other suitable means may be used for anchoring the ring 19 in order to provide a fast and easy mounting of the apparatus on any other element adapted to constitute a support therefor.

In the form of embodiment illustrated, particularly convenient means for swivelling the helmet during its operation are provided. These means are described in detail in conjunction with FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12 and consist essentially of a pair of trunnions 26 rigid with said ring 19, and of a pair of bearings 27 carried by the helmet 1 and engageable by said trunnions.

An intermediate member 28 is fitted in recesses 29 formed in the trunnions 26 and a resilient member such as a spring 30 housed in said member 28 and also in said recess 29 urges the upper portion of trunnion 26 and the lower portion of member 28 against the relevant bearing 27 formed in the helmet 1. Teeth 31 and 32 are formed respectively on the upper portions of trunnion 26 and bearing 27. Due to the elastic force of spring 30 urging said trunnion 26 against the bearing 27, said teeth 31 and 32 are resiliently kept in relative engagement, whereby any desired relative position of helmet 1 and ring 19 is normally maintained.

When it is desired to modify this angular position, a mere finger pressure exerted on the helmet is sufficient to cause the latter to pivot at will by causing the teeth 31 to assume a different position relative to the teeth 32, this detent-positioning action being permitted by the spring 30.

To permit an easy mounting of ring 19, that is, of trunnion 26, springs 30 and elements 28 in the bearings 27 of helmet 1, the diameter of each trunnion 26 is slightly inferior to that of bearing 30. Each element 28 slidably engaging the recess 29 of trunnion 26 and urged by the relevant spring 30 away from this recess will thus constitute an automatic play take-up device between the bearings 30 and the rotary assembly consisting of each trunnion 26 with the co-operating element 28. The axes of bearings 27 and trunnions 26 are designated by the reference symbols all and bb' in FIGURES 9 and 10.

The shoulder 26a formed on trunnion 26 serves the purpose of positioning this trunnion 26 in bearing 27 and to prevent any untimely escape of trunnion 26 from hearing 27 In order to reduce the weight of the electric hair-drier according to this invention, the electrical heating elements are mounted on metal arms embedded for example by moulding in the general support of the mechanical and electrical component elements of the apparatus. Preferably, this support consists of thermoplastic or like moulded material, in order to facilitate the fastening of the metal arms 17, 18.

In FIGURE 13 there is shown on a larger scale with parts broken away a main support for the component elements of the apparatus; in this form of embodiment the support consists of a perforated annular plate formed with ribs and a cylindrical central portion and corresponding substantially to the support 2 described in connection with FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings.

By properly calculating the length of said wire-supporting metal arms 17, 18 no over-heating of the support 2 can take place under normal operating conditions. Thus, the mounting of the electrical resistances is greatly facilitated and the resulting assembly is particularly light in weight.

In this FIGURE 13 the shoulder 11a engageable by the outer casing of the electromotor 6 of FIGURE 1 is clearly visible, as well as the cylindrical central portion 11, which, in the form of embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1, is covered at its upper portion by a central mid 33.

In an apparatus of this character it is preferable to provide a thermostat to limit the temperature attainable by the various electrical component elements of the apparatus, such as the resistances and the fan driving motor, for example as a consequence of a faulty use of operation of one of said elements. To this end, a thermostat 8 of the bimetallic strip type may be used, as shown on a larger scale in FIGURE 14.

This thermostat, of conventional design, consists essentially of a bimetallic strip 34 the distortion of which under the influence of temperature variations causes through the medium of a contact breaker spring 35 the snap opening of a movable contact 36 (carried by a flexible arm 37) with respect to a fixed contact 38.

The general electric circuit is through thermostat 8 as set forth hereinabove with respect to FIGURE 2. The current is supplied to the thermostat for example through a blade 39 connected to the aforesaid movable arm 37 carrying the contact 36; the current thus flows through contacts 36, 38 and returns through the fixed contact arm 40.

Opening the pair of contacts 36, 38 will thus open the general supply circuit of the apparatus. A reset knob 25 is provided for restoring the bimetallic strip to its initial position, thus closing the circuit each time the thermostat has been operated by the overstepping of the predetermined temperature limit. The thermostat proper may be secured on plate a by means of a screw 24 as already explained hereinabove in connection with FIGURE 2.

The thermostat reset knob 25 extends through the plate 10a and is therefore adapted to be actuated from the top of support 2.

The release point of thermostat 8 as a consequence of a more or less important overheating of the apparatus may be adjusted on the other hand by means of an adjustment screw 41 modifying the initial curvature of the bimetallic strip 34.

Of course, many modifications and variations may be brought to the form of embodiment shown and described herein. Thus, the shape of support 2 may differ considerably, as well as the means contemplated herein for securing the heating resistance elements and the electromotor, which are given by way of example only.

Besides, the support 2 may also be secured on the tubular member 1 for example by means of four screws 12 engaging four nuts (not shown) embedded in the bosses or lugs 14.

Of course, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the form of embodiment shown and described herein which is given by way of example only.

What I claim is:

1. An electrical hair-drier comprising a helmet forming member in the form of a substantially cylindrical lateral wall open at both ends, a substantially flat support-forming top plate mounted in said helmet forming member at one end thereof, the resistances, the fan and the motor of the apparatus being attached to one side of said support-forming plate, said side of said supportforming plate being located toward the inner room defined by said cylindrical lateral wall, said hair-drier being carried by a support by means of an outer ring removably anchored on said support, surrounding said helmet-forming member and provided with two trunnion means, said trunnion means fittting with two bearings provided on said helmet-forming member the cooperating portions of said trunnions and said bearings being provided with registering teeth, resilient means being provided urging said trunnion teeth against the relevant bearing teeth.

2. A hair drier according to claim 1, wherein a recess is provided in each trunnion, a shoe-shaped member being accommodated in said recess, spring means being provided in said shoe-shaped member applying said shoeshaped member against said bearing and said teeth the one against the other.

3. A hair drier according to claim 2, comprising a protection grid provided with blades secured at substantially right angle thereto, said helmet forming member being provided at its inner surface with corresponding channels, said grid being secured inside said helmet-forming member in front of said support forming plate by forcefitting engagement of said blades into said channels.

4. A hair drier according to claim 3 wherein said support-forming plate is made of moulded synthetic material and comprises radial and circumferential stiifening ribs together with elongated holes separating one rib from the other.

5. A hair drier according to claim 4, wherein said resistances are mounted by means of metal arms on a moulded support of synthetic material, said moulded support being integral with said support-forming plate.

6. A hair drier according to claim 5 wherein said helmet-forming member is made of one piece of moulded synthetic material.

7'. A hair drier according to claim 6 comprising a bimetallic strip adjustable thermostat of the snap-opening type incorporating a resetting knob, said thermostat being mounted in series in the electrical circuit of said resistances and motor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 414,961 11/1889 Wilson. 1,744,443 1/ 1930 Businger 3499 X 2,073,401 3/ 1937 Crowley 3499 2,332,639 10/1943 Hudson 3499 2,631,380 3/1953 Schwaneke 34--100 2,762,595 9/ 1956 Jenne 248224 2,926,879 1/ 1960 Dietrich 248-224 FOREIGN PATENTS 639,915 4/1962 Canada. 515,681 2/1955 Italy.

MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner. FREDERICK L. MATTESON, 111., Examiner. B. L. ADAMS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL HAIR-DRIER COMPRISING A HELMET FORMING MEMBER IN THE FORM OF A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL LATERAL WALL OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SUPPORT-FORMING TOP PLATE MOUNTED IN SAID HELMET FORMING MEMBER AT ONE END THEREOF, THE RESISTANCES, THE FAN AND THE MOTOR OF THE APPARATUS BEING ATTACHED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID SUPPORT-FORMING PLATE, SAID SIDE OF SAID SUPPORTFORMING PLATE BEING LOCATED TOWARD THE INNER ROOM DEFINED BY SAID CYLINDRICAL LATERAL WALL, SAID HAIR-DRIER BEING CARRIED BY A SUPPORT BY MEANS OF AN OUTER RING REMOVABLY ANCHORED ON SAID SUPPORT, SURROUNDING SAID HELMET-FORMING MEMBER AND PROVIDED WITH TWO TRUNNION MEANS, SAID TRUNNION MEANS FITTING WITH TWO BEARINGS PROVIDED ON SAID HELMET-FORMING MEMBER THE COOPERATING PORTIONS OF SAID TRUNNIONS AND SAID BEARINGS BEING PROVIDED WITH REGISTERING TEETH, RESILIENT MEANS BEING PROVIDED URGING SAID TRUNNION TEETH AGAINST THE RELEVANT BEARING TEETH. 